Cpl. Bart Veal

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-798-2368 (pager)

903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: Recent Armed Robberies

Texarkana Arkansas Detectives are investigating an armed robbery that occurred this morning (03/17/05). Officers were called to the EZ-Mart at 4524 N. Stateline at 3:00am where a clerk reported that two gunmen had robbed him.

According to reports both of the robbers were carrying small black automatic handguns and wearing all black clothing. One of the suspects wore a clown mask and the other a veil type black mask. The men ordered the clerk to open the register and hand over his wallet. The clerk complied and was unharmed.

The black male suspects are described as being 5’10” to 6’00” tall and medium built and both are considered armed and dangerous.

The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department is asking for your help with this armed robbery and two other recent armed robberies.

Texarkana Arkansas Detective are still investigating two similar armed robberies that occurred on Sunday 03/13/05.

The first armed robbery occurred at 4:15am at the Ambassador Inn off Realtor Road. A black female was exiting her car when a black male wearing a ski mask approached her and told her to walk toward the hotel. The suspect told the woman to give him her wallet and fired one shot from a small caliber handgun. No one was injured and the gunman fled the area on foot with the victim’s wallet.

The second armed robbery occurred at 10:15pm at the La Saks Retail Store on East Broad Street. A black male wearing a ski mask entered the store and pointed a small caliber handgun at the clerk and demanded the money from the register. The clerk complied and no one was injured.

The suspect is described as a dark skinned black male, 509 to 600, wearing a black or dark colored long coat and dark pants with a black ski mask. The suspect weapon has been described as a small caliber automatic handgun.

Detectives do not believe that the robbery this morning is related to the two previous robberies.

It should be noted that the suspect from the La Saks robbery took a large case of pornographic DVD’s. Detectives are asking that if anyone has information about XXX DVD’s street sales to call 903-798-3154.

The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department is asking for your help. If you or anyone you know has information about these crimes please call the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department at 903-798-3154 or Crime Stoppers at 903-793-7867 (STOP).

Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.